Elderly social care needs ‘significantly increased’

THE coronavirus pandemic has significantly increased older people’s social care needs, with about one in four finding it harder to carry out every-day activities, a survey suggests.

Some 23% of people aged 60 and over questioned for Age UK said their ability to carry out every-day activities has worsened since the first lockdown.

The charity questioned 1,487 older people about how difficult they were finding activities such as using the stairs, walking short distances, washing, and preparing and cooking food.

It is calling for the Government to commit to concrete action in today’s Queen’s Speech so the sector can meet this growing need.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “It’s really sad that the pandemic has taken such a toll on the mobility, confidence and capacity of millions of older people to live independently without extra support.

“Specialists in older people’s health warned that this was likely to happen after months of enforced isolation, inactivity and lack of stimulation and, unfortunately, our new analysis shows they were absolutely right.

“The inevitable consequence of this pandemic-related damage is that older people’s demand for social care is set to go up quite markedly, beyond what would otherwise have been expected.”

Ms Abrahams said the gap between the care system “we have and the one we need” is growing each day.

She continued: “With the horrors visited on care homes by Covid-19 and the heroism of our underpaid care workers still fresh in all our minds, it is more important than ever that the Prime Minister ‘fixes social care’.

“A clear statement to this effect in the Queen’s Speech would give us hope that he and his Government really do intend to follow through this year.”

The Government has said improving the adult social care system remains a priority and it will bring forward proposals later this year.

The Age UK survey found that 42% of respondents who previously had difficulty using the stairs said this had become harder, and the same proportion who previously had difficulty walking short distances outside said this had become more difficult.

Respondents who had previously struggled with cooking and preparing food and washing also said these activities had become harder.

One in ten (10%) respondents now have difficulty walking up and down stairs when previously they did not, while 9% now struggle to walk short distances outside. The charity said living through months of fear, isolation and inactivity has led to weakened muscles and deteriorating strength, balance and flexibility.

Cognitive decline in some older people has progressed more quickly due to decreased human contact, while others have become less confident of going out.

The charity also carried out an online survey in January and February, with more than 13,000 older people taking part.

One respondent, Betty, who is in her 80s and lives with four long-term conditions, said: “I find it harder to lift and move things in the house. My arthritis is now restricting me in peeling veg, changing and making the bed – my husband is 89, he helps but he has health problems which restricts him in what he can do.”